RDS2

Changes occurred today in the coverage of AFL games in both the US and Canada. On the US side, a major milestone occurred when Fox informed AFANA that effective next week (Round 3, 2016), one live game per week will move to Fox Sports 1 (FS1). This means that for the first time since 1985, live AFL matches will be on a major sports network in the United States. FS1 reaches 73% of US homes and overnight will expand the potential audience for the sport by tens of millions. Whether this continues will undoubtedly depend on the ratings and the audience reception as well as whether sponsors can be convinced to come on board. Given that the time slots will be very poor, particularly in the eastern US, this will be a challenge. AFANA has already updated its TV schedules to reflect the games on FS1 through Round 10.

In Canada, AFANA learned that RDS is dropping French language coverage due to cost and schedule concerns. The door was left open however, that if enough fans contact the network, they might reconsider the decision. This is a major loss as the coverage on RDS and RDS2 was high quality and redubbed in French. The potential audience was over seven million. Fans are encouraged to contact RDS. AFANA a été informé par le directeur de la programmation à RDS que la couverture du football australien ne coninuerai pas en 2016. Les raisons incluent le coût et le calendrier. Il a indiqué que si assez de fans montrent l'intérêt qu'ils pourraient reconsidérer. Nous encourageons les supporters à les contacter.

The AFL recently held its annual "multicultural round" and made a big splash by offering commentary in a second language for all of the matches. While it might be news to fans down under, alternate language broadcasts are not news to fans in North America. If you check our TV schedules, even occasionally, you have probably noticed listings in French and Spanish. The changes in the way we list telecasts in recent years has made that possible. At AFANA, we're committed to supporting fans who watch in languages other than English and living in North America.